Protect Yourself from Seasonal Flu

The Basics: Overview

Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Seasonal flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.

For many people, seasonal flu is a mild illness. But sometimes, the flu can be serious or even deadly. The flu:

Is linked to serious infections like pneumonia
Can make existing health problems worse (for example, long-term heart or lung disease)
Can lead to hospitalization or death

Flu vaccines can help prevent people from getting sick with the flu — and lower the risk of hospitalization and death caused by the flu.

The flu spreads easily from person to person. So when you get a flu vaccine, you don’t just protect yourself. You also can help protect everyone around you.

When do I need to get the seasonal flu vaccine?

Get a flu vaccine by the end of October each year. After you get the vaccine, it takes about 2 weeks for your body to develop protection against the flu. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the vaccine before the flu starts to spread in your community.

If you don’t get the vaccine by the end of October, it’s not too late. Getting the vaccine later can still protect you from the flu. Keep in mind that flu season can last as late as May.

The Basics: Flu Symptoms

What is the flu?

The flu is caused by viruses that can infect your nose, throat, and lungs. Experts think it mainly spreads from person to person when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks. It’s also possible to get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Symptoms of the flu may include:

Cough
Sore throat
Headache
Feeling tired
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Fever or feeling feverish
Having chills

For some people, the flu may also cause vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (frequent, watery poop). This is more common in children than adults.

Remember, not everyone with the flu gets a fever.

The Basics: Flu Vaccines

How is the flu vaccine given?

Most people can get the flu vaccine as a shot or as a nasal spray.

Are there any side effects from seasonal flu vaccines?

Flu vaccines can cause side effects, but they’re usually mild. They usually start soon after you get the vaccine and last for 1 to 2 days.

Side effects from the flu shot may include:

Soreness, redness, or swelling where you got the shot
Fever
Aches

Side effects from the nasal spray vaccine may include:

Runny nose
Cough
Headache

These side effects aren’t the flu. You can’t get the flu from flu vaccines.

The Basics: Am I at Risk?

Am I at higher risk for serious complications from the flu?

For some people, the flu is more likely to cause serious illness that can lead to hospitalization or even death.

People at higher risk for serious flu complications include:

Children under age 5 — and especially children under age 2
People who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 2 weeks
Adults age 65 and older
People with some long-term health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
People with a weakened immune system (like people with HIV)
People who live in long-term care facilities (like nursing homes)
People from certain racial and ethnic groups, including people who are African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska Native
People with obesity who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

If you’re at higher risk for serious flu complications, it’s especially important to get the vaccine before the flu starts to spread in your community. And if you care for or spend time with someone at higher risk for serious flu complications, the flu vaccine can help protect you both.

Learn more about who’s at high risk for flu complications.

The Basics: Flu Medicine

Is there medicine that can treat the flu?

Yes. If you get sick with the flu, your doctor may prescribe medicines called flu antiviral drugs. Flu antiviral drugs can help you feel less sick and shorten the time that you’re sick. They can also help prevent serious flu complications.

If you’re at higher risk for serious flu complications and you get flu symptoms, tell your doctor about your symptoms right away.

Flu antiviral drugs work best if you start taking them in the first 2 days after you get sick. But they may still help if you take them later on, especially if you’re very sick.

Get the facts about flu antiviral drugs.

Take Action: Get a Flu Vaccine

Find out where to get a flu vaccine near you.

Flu vaccines are available in many locations. You can get a flu vaccine at a doctor’s office, health clinic, pharmacy, or your local health department. Your employer may also offer flu vaccines.

If you’re not sure where to start, call your doctor’s office or local health department. You can also use this tool to find flu vaccines near you.

What about cost?

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover seasonal flu vaccines. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get a flu vaccine at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company to find out more.

Medicare may also cover flu vaccines at no cost. If you have Medicare, learn about Medicare coverage for flu vaccines.

If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able get a free or low-cost flu vaccine:

To learn more, check out these resources:

Take Action: Protect Yourself

Protect yourself and others from the flu.

Getting a flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting yourself from the flu.

Here are some other things you can do to help protect yourself and others from the flu:

Stay away from people who are sick with the flu
If you have the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without using a fever-reducing medicine)
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, whether or not you have the flu — then throw the tissue in the trash
Wash your hands often with soap and water — if soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Try not to touch your nose, mouth, or eyes — this helps keep germs from spreading
Clean surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them, like doorknobs — use hot, soapy water or a household cleaner

Adults with the flu can spread it to others starting the day before they first feel sick — and up to 5 to 7 days after they first feel symptoms. Children may be able to spread the flu for even longer than 7 days.